'Ha-meem' is known as ‘Solemn Verse' (Ayat-e-Muqatta'at - آیتِ مقطعات).

Fourteen Arabic alphabets have been used, in varied combinations, in 14 ‘Solemn Verses' (Ayaat-e-Muqatta'at - آیاتِ مقطعات) in the form of initials of 29 Chapters (سورة) of holy Quran. Ha-meem ( حم ) is one of them.

Since Quran is 'Mubeen' (الْمُبِينِ); its description is clear and manifest. The meanings of all the verses of Quran, including 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are surely known to its principle addressee, ie., Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). It is also likely that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) has informed the meanings of these Verses to some of his Sahabah and Awliya Allah.

We believe in whatever is meant by the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

Since we have been commanded to read the Quran carefully and try to understand the significance of every verse of the Quran, we do ponder over these verses. And when we think, by focusing our attention towards Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) for guidance, it comes to our mind that the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are actually the 'Solemn Titles of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) given by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) throughout the Quran. Our understanding is based on the fact that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has addressed Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in the Quran by specific names, like Muzzammil (مزمل - O' beloved who covers self in a coverlet), Muddassir (مدثر - O' beloved, who covers self in a bed sheet). With this understanding, it is most likely that Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) other names / titles have been mentioned in Quran by denoting certain initials/alphabets.

(2) It is in Quran - إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ - وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ - لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ [ Surely We revealed it on the Night of Power/Decree. And What will convey to you what the Night of Power is! The Night of Power is better than thousand months. ] (Al-Qadr - 1-3).

We have briefly discussed below about these nights.

(a) There is no clear and categorical evidence in Quran and Ahadith that tells us that both these nights are one and the same.

(b) There are many authentic Ahadith identifying a blessed night falling in the middle of Sha'ban and the other falling in the end of Ramadhan.

(c) When we read the above verses of Quran, it looks that the 'Blessed Night' (لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ) falling in mid-Sha'aban is the night when Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) commands are made clear (in the sublime world - عالمِ عُلوي). Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is warning the mankind that decisions are taken about them for the following year and they need to be careful and supplicate for pardon for the sins committed by them in the previous years.

(d) The Night of Qadr (لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ) is a glad tiding / good news to the human beings that this Night is better than one thousand months (more than 33 years) and it is an opportunity for mankind to make sure that they are benefited from it.

(e)The significance of both these nights is different from each other and both are important nights in Islamic Calendar. The Common feature of both these nights is, the descent of Quran.

It is important to note that Quran's descent was gradual, in stages. To understand this issue, read the following Quranic verse one more time.

This verse clarifies that on the night (which falls on mid-Sha'baan), every divine command intended for the following year is made clear (to the Sublime World - عالمِ عُلوي). This shows that on the 'Blessed Night' (ليلة البراءة) the command for the descent of Quran was given and made known to the Sublime World. This fact is described in this verse - إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ[ Indeed, We revealed it on a blessed night. Indeed, We are ever warning (to mankind).] (Ad-Dukhan - 3).

Thus, the divine command was the beginning of the descent of Quran. It was the first stage of the descent of Quran.

(f) Then Quran was descended from the Preserved Tablet (لوحِ محفوظ) to the first sky on the 'Night of Power/Decree' (ليلة القدر) in the month of Ramadhan. This was the second stage of the descent of Quran.

(g) Then, from the first sky, Quran was revealed, gradually, in stages, to Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) over a period of 23 years. This was the third and final stage of Quran's descent.

The blessed night' (لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ) mentioned in the above verses is the night which falls on mid-Sha'aban (لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ). This is also known as 'Night of Salvation' (ليلة البراءة) because, on this night every wise command of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is made clear, and he looks upon His servants with mercy; listens to their supplications and forgives them. This night is proved from continuous narrations (احادیثِ متواتر) from many Sahaba and Taba'een in authentic books of Ahadith. We have provided below some of these Ahadith.

(i) Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Ibn Maja established Chapters in their Ahadith books, titled بَاب مَا جَاءَ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ [ What was known about the Middle Night of Sha'aban]. Many Ahadith have been mentioned under these chapters.

Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ الله تعالی عنها) said - 'One night, I did not find the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in his bed, so I went out searching for him and found him at al-Baqi (Muslim Graveyard in Madina) with his head raised towards the sky. (When he realized that I followed him to Baqi), He said : 'O Aisha (رضئ الله تعالی عنها) were you afraid that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) would treat you unfairly?' I said, 'No, I thought you had gone to spend the night with one of your (other) wives' He said : 'Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) descends to the lowest heaven on the night of mid-Sha'ban and forgives more people than the number of hairs on the hides of the sheep of Bani Kalb." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmed)

(ii) It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ الله تعالی عنها) reports, 'the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) stood up in prayer during part of the night and made his prostration so lengthy that I thought his soul had been taken back. When I saw this I got up and went to move his big toe, whereupon he moved, so I drew back. When he raised his head from prostration and finished praying, he said : 'O A'isha (رضئ الله تعالی عنها), O strikingly beautiful (حُميرا)! Did you think that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) had broken his agreement with you?' She replied : 'No, by Allah, O'Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), but I thought that your soul had been taken back because you stayed in prostration for so long.' He said : 'Do you know what night is this?' She said : 'Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) know best.' He said : 'This is the night of mid-Sha`ban! Verily Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) looks at His servants on the night of mid-Sha`ban, and forgives those who ask forgiveness, and He bestows mercy on those who ask mercy' (Thirmidhi, Ahmed, Bazzar, Baihaqi)

It is important that we stay awake during these nights (Lailatul Qadr and Lailatul Bara'a) and spend time in Salah, Zikr and repentance. It is expected that we will receive a lot of bounties from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) as an offering (sadaqa) of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

Similarly, it is important to stay awake on the night of Me'raj-un-Nabi (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and spend time in the remembrance of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as a gratitude for making us the Ummati of the the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

It is in Hadith -Abu Huraira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated that Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, "Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards then all his past sins will be forgiven.' (Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith # 28)

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 005

أَمْرًا مِنْ عِنْدِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ[ This command is from Us, as we wanted to send Our commandments (to you),]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 006

رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَبِّكَ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ[ as a mercy from your Lord! He is indeed, the All Hearing, All Knowing!]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 007

رَبِّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُوقِنِينَ[ The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, if you really do believe.]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 008

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آَبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ[ There is no god but He, Who gives life and death. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 009

بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ[ In fact, they are in doubt, amusing themselves.]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 010

فَارْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِي السَّمَاءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُبِينٍ[ So watch out for the Day when the sky will bring visible smoke, ]

أَنَّى لَهُمُ الذِّكْرَى وَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُبِينٌ[ But how can the acceptance of Our Message at that time be beneficial to them? The Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), who makes the things clear, has already come to them. ]

أَنْ أَدُّوا إِلَيَّ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ[ (Saying) 'Hand over the servants of Allah (the children of Israel) to me. I am truly a trustworthy Apostle to you.]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 019

وَأَنْ لَا تَعْلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنِّي آَتِيكُمْ بِسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ[ 'Do not exceed (the bounds), and do not deem yourselves exalted before Allah. In fact, I have brought you the clear proofs.']

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 020

وَإِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ أَنْ تَرْجُمُونِ[ And indeed, I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord so you do not (plot) killing me.' ]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 021

وَإِنْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا لِي فَاعْتَزِلُونِ[ 'If you do not believe me, then keep away from me.']

The above verses clarify that Pharaoh and his people plotted to kill Musa (عليه السلام) and they were about the execute their plan.

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 022

فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ أَنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ مُجْرِمُونَ[ He then called out to his Lord that these were evil people. ]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 023

فَفَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي لَيْلًا إِنَّكُمْ مُتَّبَعُونَ[ (Then Allah responded), 'Set forth with My servants (the children of Israel) at night, surely you will be pursued. ]

Juz 25, Ad-Dukhaan, Verse 024

وَاتْرُكِ الْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا إِنَّهُمْ جُنْدٌ مُغْرَقُونَ[ 'And (when you have crossed the sea with your people), leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided). Surely, they are an army that is doomed to be drowned.']